Lt. Terry Bush says the accident happened at about 2 a.m. near Interstate 71, southeast of the Ohio State University campus. Norfolk Southern said it appeared about 11 cars went off the tracks north of downtown, in an industrial area blocks from residential neighborhoods.

People living in one-mile radius of the blast have been evacuated.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash, how many cars caught fire or what they contained. Authorities believe the cargo included some type of alcohol that could fuel the fire, said Battalion Chief Michael Fowler, a spokesman for the Columbus fire division.

Two people who ran toward the scene before the explosion were injured but were able to take themselves to a hospital, Fowler said. Norfolk Southern said none of its workers were hurt.

A hazardous materials team is on the scene, as well as Norfolk Southern railroad officials.